How to Land the Best House Sitting Jobs

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I am typing these words from an East Harlem house sit, right beside Central Park. How would you like to stay in places like these?

  • 4 months overlooking the bay in Savusavu, Fiji, enjoying one of the world’s finest views.
  • 6 months at a villa on a football field-sized property in Jimbaran, Bali.
  • 6 weeks in a remote Costa Rican jungle.
  • 2 months living by a national park in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
  • 1 month in Qatar, the world’s wealthiest nation.
  • 2 months in beautiful Granada, Nicaragua.
  • 1 month in exotic Cyprus.
  • We had a 1-week luxury house sitting job on the Upper West Side, just 1 block from Central Park West and its 70-million-dollar penthouses, celebrities, and world-famous apartments.
  • We were offered house sitting jobs in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Cahuita, Costa Rica; Saipan, and Penang, Malaysia.

I can hear you wondering: How in the heck do my wife Kelli and I consistently land some of the best house sitting jobs in the world? Especially when throngs of folks apply for these same house sits?

I’m going to reveal our top tips for landing the best house sitting jobs here.

1. Get clear on exactly what type of house sitting jobs you want.

Kelli and Ryan Biddulph pose during one of their best housesitting jobs, on a tropical hill overlooking the bay in Savusavu Fiji.

This is far and away the most important tip to follow.

Unless you clearly know what you want, you will likely chase what you do not want.

95% of the time we zero in on house sits in the tropics. Other than that, we take jobs in exotic or off-the-beaten-path spots like Qatar or Cyprus.

Be patient. Have posture. I swear: The best house sits for you will eventually make a beeline for you if you don’t panic.

The first 3 years after we registered on house sitting websites, we weren’t interested at all, because the only available house sits seemed to be in Europe and that wasn’t our gig. When a house sit in Fiji popped up, we crunched some numbers, estimated flight costs, and applied.

Yes, we had zero experience and no resume when we landed a 4-month house sit on what some call the world’s most peaceful island, Vanua Levu, Fiji. This shows you the miraculous power of clarity in knowing exactly what you want from a house sit.

The homeowner in Bali offered the job to us after a 2-minute phone call. Once she heard we knew Jimbaran well and had visited once in the past, she wanted us for the house sit.

This is the power of clarity at work.

2. Spend no time chasing what you do not want.

The pool at one of their luxury house sits in Bali.

We never would have landed a 6-month house sit at a villa in Bali or a 4-month sit in Fiji if we were tied up with the ever-present house sits in Europe. These jobs pop up every day.

Kelli and I are adamant about never taking a job just to have a house sit lined up.

We are hyper-clear on the sits we want. We spend zero energy chasing what we don’t want.

Don’t bother with house sits that don’t interest you. If you want to land the best house sits, let go of those that don’t float your house sitting boat.

3. Create a transparent house sitter profile.

Ryan on a dirt path, wearing a backpack

Our transparent profiles, posted on house sitting sites like trustedhousesitters.com, housecarers.com, and nomador.com, have helped us land some of the best house sitting jobs on earth.

Homeowners felt like they knew us without meeting us.

We use video, ample pictures, and an open, transparent writing style to put homeowners at ease.

Craft your profile pages so homeowners can see what you are about even before they reach out to you.

4. Be accessible.

Ryan Biddulph stands along a road. Large building in the background.

Be open. Be accessible. You will land the best house sitting jobs by keeping multiple channels of communication open between you and the homeowner.

We can be reached via email, Skype, Facebook, and phone.

Being accessible makes you more trustworthy and credible.

Homeowners tend to worry if you are a tough person to get ahold of. If you are dodgy before the house sit, how will they reach you when they need to talk to you during the house sit?

5. Be timely in responding to interviews and job offers.

The jungle of Costa Rica, seen from a doorway. In the foreground: a hose pours water into a stainless steel sink basin. This was one of their most rustic house sitting jobs

My wife responds to both interviews and job offers quickly because the house sitting world loves speed.

Example: Many homeowners wait until a few weeks before their trips to hire sitters. More than a few noted how our quick response time nailed down the job offer. We acted in a prompt, professional, responsible fashion, essentially acing the trial run for the house sit.

Check your email at least once every few hours. Or simply set up alerts on your phone to receive instant notification of interview requests or job offers.

FAQs about becoming a house sitter

What makes a good house sitter profile?

Treat your profile like a mini-resume! Highlight your experience with pets and housesitting (even if it’s volunteer work). Be specific about your skills, like gardening, handyman work, or specific pet knowledge. Include high-quality photos that portray you as friendly and trustworthy. Positive references from previous sittings boost your credibility, so be proactive in collecting them.

Where do I find the best house sitting gigs?

Popular house sitting platforms include TrustedHousesitters.com, housecarers.com, Nomador, and House Sitting World. Consider niche sites like Rover for pet-focused sits, or Luxury House Sitting for upscale properties. Be sure to pay attention to fees and reviews, and always prioritize verified listings and secure payment methods.

How do I stand out from other applicants?

Read the listing carefully and address specific needs mentioned by the homeowner. Offer additional services like plant care, pool maintenance, or cooking a welcome meal. Show genuine interest in their home and pets, and be flexible with dates if possible. Be professional and prompt in your communication, and don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions.

How can I ace the house sitting interview?

Be prepared to answer questions about your pet care experience, cleaning routine, and emergency procedures. Demonstrate your ability to follow instructions and adapt to different environments. Ask thoughtful questions about the pet’s personality and needs, and show enthusiasm for the opportunity. Being confident and friendly will leave a positive impression.

Final thoughts

Remember, landing the best house sitting jobs is all about building trust and showcasing your value as a reliable and responsible caregiver. But with a polished profile, positive communication, and a commitment to excellent service, you’ll be well on your way to securing your dream house sitting adventure!

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Written by Ryan Biddulph

Ryan Biddulph is a blogger, author and world traveler who’s been featured on Richard Branson’s Virgin Blog, Forbes, Fox News, Entrepreneur, John Chow Dot Com and Neil Patel Dot Com. He has written and self-published 126 bite-sized eBooks on Amazon, including How to Land the Best House Sits Easily.

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2 thoughts on “How to Land the Best House Sitting Jobs”

  1. Thank you for the article! We will check out housecarers and nomador. So far we have only used MindMyHouse and really enjoy house sitting and especially the pets!

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